In a move that will surprise many, Grasshopper Manufacture (Lollipop Chainsaw) has been purchased by publisher GungHo. Suda51's studio, once famed for its fierce attitude towards independence, will now join studios Gravity, Acquire and Game Arts as part of GungHo's increasingly reputable portfolio.
The GungHo Group, who are known for publishing titles such as Ragnarok and Dragon Saga, announced the acquisition on their website, stating that they're planning on merging the development muscle of their newly acquired studio with their online operations.
It'll be interesting to see how the development process for Killer is Dead will be affected by the move, although it is promised that: "Titles already in development at the studio before the acquisition will not be affected by the deal and will continue under their current publishing terms."
A different press release (via Kotaku) detailing the move goes on to state:
"We believe the strength of a publisher lies in its creative talent so with the addition of GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE and SUDA51 we are adding some of the most innovative talent in today's gaming world to our stellar family of independently-operated studios," said Kazuki Morishita, President and CEO of GungHo Online Entertainment. "SUDA51 projects are known to put a unique spin on every game so coupled with our proven ability to support development with AAA resources including a tailored online experience, we believe gamers will benefit from this collaboration."